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Southern Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum rufidulum

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num roo-FEE-duh-lum
Description

Rusty blackhaw is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub or small single-stemmed treein the Viburnaceae (haw) family.  It is native to eastern and central USA and is found in most areas of NC growing in rocky or dry woodlands and forests, along streams and valleys. The name comes from the rusty brown hairs on the undersides of leaves, buds and stems.

Rusty blackhaw grows in dry to moist loams in full sun to partial shade slowly reaching a height and width of 10 to 20 feet. Clusters of small, white flowers mature in early spring followed by a blue drupe that matures in fall. The leaves have excellent fall color. More than one shrub is needed for good fruit production.  This low maintenance plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is drought tolerant once established.

Use this native plant as a hedge, in shrub borders and naturalized areas.  This plant provides nectar to pollinators, fruit for birds, and small animals making it an excellent choice for a pollinator or wildlife garden.  Its low flammability rating makes it a good choice to plant in the defensible space around a home.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Royal Guard'
'Royal Guard'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#shrub#native tree#native shrub#low maintenance#fall interest#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#glossy leaves#native garden#fruits fall#star shaped flowers#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#edible garden#Braham Arboretum#naturalized area#leathery leaves#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Royal Guard'
'Royal Guard'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#shrub#native tree#native shrub#low maintenance#fall interest#showy fruits#small mammals#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#glossy leaves#native garden#fruits fall#star shaped flowers#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#edible garden#Braham Arboretum#naturalized area#leathery leaves#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#coastal UPL#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    rufidulum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern U.S.A., Mexico
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It is a host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies.  Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is moderately deer resistant.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Fruits are sweet but nearly all seed
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    3/8 inch long oval dark blue fruits in clusters ripen in September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers appear from March to April in 5 inch wide rounded cymes of tiny flowers. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch across with long stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The 4" long oval, glossy, leathery leaves are dark green. The leaf undersides have rusty brown hairs as do the stems. Margins are finely serrated, tip rounded or with a broad point, base rounded. Excellent fall colors of reds, purples and oranges.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Square
    Bark Description:
    The bark is gray/brown with a fine blocky pattern.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Twigs reddish brown with a thin light gray coating. Stems have rusty brown hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Fire